Apparatus for mixing gas and liquid



Aug. 27, 1940. o, P, m 2,212,598

APPARATUS FOR MIXING GAS AND LIQUID Filed April 1'7, 1939 GLASS PatentedAug. 27, v 1940 p 2,212,598 p APPARATUS FOR MIXING GAS AND LIQUID Orbin'P. Hagist,' Chicago, n1.

Application April 17, iesa-seriai No; 268,353

7 Claims. (Cl. -261--76) FFi-CE This invention relates to apparatus formixing gas and liquid, and its principal object is the provision of anapparatus for mixing gas and liquid so as to combine them in a morehomogeneous mixture than has been done heretofore.

Ordinarily, gases and liquids do not mix readily but for certainspecific purposes it is necessary that they do'mix and remain mixed forrelatively long periods of time. Ammonia will mix with'water and remainin such mixed state for 1a considerable length of 'time, whereas gassuch as chlorine when mixed with water immediately attempts to revert toits own state.

The present apparatus is very effective for thoroughly mixing'chlorinegas with waterso that the mixture remainsin a mixed state for aconsiderable length of time.

Another objectis to provide a more simple gas and liquid mixingapparatus than has been produced heretofore, one that is unlikely to getout of order and. is capable of holding a controlled vacuum, whereby tomore effectively mix gas and liquid. Another object is to dispense withfloat or other valves in the mixing apparatus thereby eliminating thepossibility of disabled valves in the apparatus. Another object is theprovision of a combination of elements whereby inthe event of waterfailure, the gas can escape onlythrough a vent pipe which leads up andout through the building in which the apparatus is housed, whereby itcan do no harm. Another object is the provision of means whereby in theevent of any back siphoning in the main water supply pipe, the vacuum inthe apparatus immediately becomes broken by the admission of outside airto the main water supply pipe. Another object is the provision of acombination of elements whereby the apparatus may be cleaned by backwashing and dirt, sludge an other foreign matter that may have collectedin the apparatus may be washed out therefrom without dissembling it.Although. the apparatus of the character-described herein may be used'for mixing various kinds of gases and liquids for various purposes, itis especially effective in mixing chlorine gas with Water forapplication to cesspools, garbage dumps, swimming pools and practicallyall other situations Where the application of chlorine is required. Theinvention consists, therefore, in

the several novel features, combination and arrangement of parts as willbe hereinafter fully set forth and described.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the drawing accompanying thisspecification in which the figure is a diagrammatic view illustrating asimple embodiment of the invention and showing it in operation.

Referring to said drawing, which is merely schematic, and is "notintended as a working '5 drawing, the reference character I designatesthe main water supply pipe towhich is connected an aspirator or othersuction device 2 which is connected to a-mixing chamber, desirably inthe form of a pipet having a trap 4' therein. From 10 the discharge endof the aspirator leads a discharge pipe 5, for the mixed gas and water,

which pipe leads to the place of application of the gas and watermixture.

Connected to the main Water supply pipe I is a water pipe 5 which leadsto and discharges into the upper end of a Water supply tank 1. Anoverflow pipe 8 leads from a suitable point in the tank 7 down to anyplace for the discharge of overflow water from the "tank I. The waterpipe 6 and overflow pipe 8 serve to maintain a substantially constant,predetermined water level in the tank 1 during normal operation of the"apparatus. A vent pipe 9 leads from the top of the tank lto a placedesirably outside of the building in which the apparatus is housed.

The mixing pipe 3 enters a vacuum chamber it desirably contained in avacuum tank II and said mixing pipe extends to a point adjacent "theupper end ofthe tank H. The top of the 0 mixing pipe 3 is closed as byan end wall I2 and "below said closed top the pipe 3 is provided withaseries of apertures 83 which maybe in the form of holes, slits orslots, and extendingalong the length of the pipe from a point adjacentits .35 ciosed top to a place above the normal or static water level inthe tank i i. In operation, water enters the mixing pipe 3 through thoseapertures which are located below the Working water level 'in the vacuumchamber and gas enters the mixing "pipe 3 from the vacuum chamber,through the :apertures that are located above the working water level.

A watervconnection is provided between the Water supply-tank l and thevacuum tank H which is here shown in the form of a water pipe or conduitit which leads from the bottom of one tank to the other. A water trap 15is provided in the pipe 24 to preventgas from backing up into the watersupply tank I. Rising from the pipe M is a vent pipe l t, l l, in whichis interposed a sightglass it through which the water level may beobserved. 'The pipe H leadsup and out through the building in WhiChthC-lapparatus is housed "and carries away any gas that may .55

escape from the vacuum chamber II] in the event of water failure or backsiphoning in the main water pipe, as will be presently explained.

When the apparatus is quiescent, the water level indicated by thecharacter a, is maintained in the tank I, the pipe I4 and the tank II,which water level is below the lowermost aperture in the pipe 3.

The gas used, is contained in a gas storage tank I9 under high pressure.From the gas .storage tank leads a tube 20 which runs to a reducing andregulating valve 2I that is connected to a metering device 22 ofconventional form and from the metering device a gas pipe 23 leads tothe top of the vacuum tank I I. The gas storage tank has a shut-offvalve 24 as usual.

A pump (not shown) or other source of water under pressure connects withthe main water supply pipe I and serves to supply water to the apparatusunder a substantially constant pressure.

Some of the water discharges through the water pipe 6 to the watersupply tank 'I to replenish water which is withdrawn therefrom by theaspirator 2 when the apparatus is in operation. Surplus water overflowsthrough the overflow pipe 8 whereby a substantially constant water levelis preserved in the tank I. In order to pr'event much waste or overflowwater in the tank I, a valve 25 may be interposed in the water pipefi'which may be adjusted to regulate the .flowof'water to the tank I tocorrespond with that withdrawn therefrom. A valve 26 may be interposedin the pipe I4 or its water trap I which may be adjusted to regulate theflow of water between the tanks I, II. This valve 26 may be providedwith suitable locking means whereby it cannot be manipulated except byone having authority. The discharge pipe 5 contains a valve 21 by whichthe discharge pipe may be shut off from the rest of the apparatus whenit being admitted to the vacuum chamber I0 from the gas storage tank,enters the mixing chamber in the pipe 3 through the apertures that areabove the water level in the vacuum tank II and the gas is thoroughlymixed with the water flowing down the pipe 3 to the aspirator, where themixture is diluted by the water coming through the aspirator from themain water supply pipe. The "diluted mixture is discharged through thedischarge pipe 5 to the place of application. The amount of gaswithdrawn from thegas storage tank I9 is metered in the metering device22 whereby the amount of gas which it is desired to mix with waterduring a predetermined length of time can be regulated by adjusting theregulating valve 2I. In the event that a higher vacuum is created in thevacuum chamber by the aspirator, the water level therein rises more orless and a greater volume enters the mixing chamber of the pipe 3, and,simultaneously, a

proportionately greater velocity of the gas is produced, therebyincreasing the amount of gas enteringv the mixing chamber andmaintaining a the aspirator.

substantially constant proportion of gas and water.

In the event of water failure and the aspirator. therefore ceases to beeffective, the gas entering the vacuum chamber builds up- .a pressuretherein, whereupon water in the vacuum tank flows back through the pipeI4 and trap I5 to the tank I where it overflows into the overflow pipe8, and as the pressure within the vacuum tank continues to increase, thewater level therein is lowered until the water level reaches a pointjust below the top of the horizontal part of the pipe I4, therebypermitting the gas to escape into the vent pipe I6, II, and dischargefrom the upper end thereof into the outer atmosphere. An attendantobserving this condition through the water glass I8 may promptly shutoif the supply of gas to the vacuum tank.

In case of back siphoning in the main water supply pipe, the vacuumtherein is immediately broken through the water supply pipe 6, tank Iand vent pipe 9, thereby disabling the action of The water level in thevacuum tank I I falls to the water level of the tank I and water in thepipe 3 will flow down the same and part thereof will be trapped in thetrap 4, thereby preventing the escape of gas to the main water supplypipe. If gas pressure is built up in the Vacuum tank II, the water levelwill be lowered to a point in the horizontal part of the pipe I4 whichwill permit the gas to escape through the vent pipe I6, I'I.

Whenever it becomes necessary to clean the apparatus, the valves 25, 21are closed, and the gas supply shut off, whereupon the water fromthe-main water supply pipe will pass through the aspirator and upthrough thepipe 3 and out through the apertures thereof, into the vacuumtank I I, and thence through the pipe I4 and trap I5 to the water supplytank from which it discharges through the overflow pipe.

It is to be understood that the various pipes and parts of the apparatusthat come into contact with the gas and liquid mixture and are,therefore, likely to be corroded, are desirably constructed ofnon-corrosive materials. The several pipes may be composedof rubbertubing and the bodies of the tanks may becomposed of glass with rubberends. Where it is not practicable to use rubber tubing, metal pipes,silver plated on their interior faces, may be employed.

I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination of a vacuum tank, a source between said source of gassupply and the top of the vacuum tank, aliquid supply tank in which asubstantially constant liquid level is maintained, a connection betweenthe lower ends of said tanks whereby the same static liquid level ismaintained in the two tanks, a main liquid supply pipe having a pipeleading to said liquid supply tank, a suction device connected to saidmain liquid supply pipe, and a gas and liquid mixing pipe closed at itstop and connected to said suction device, said gas and liquid mixingpipe having apertures opening to the vacuum tank above the static liquidlevel therein, Whereby, when the suction device produces a partialvacuum in the vacuum tank, the liquid level therein rises and liquiddischarges through apertures into the mixing pipe and simultaneously gasenters the mixing pipe through apertures above the liquidlevel and ismixed with the liquid in the .of gas supply under pressure, a gasconnection Cal mixing pipe, and a gas and liquid mixture dis-'- chargepipe leading from said suction device.

2. The combination of a vacuum tank, a source of gas supply underpressure, a gas connection between said source of gas supply and the topof the vacuum tank, a regulating valve in said gas connection, a liquidsupply tank in which a substantially constant liquid level ismaintained, a connection between the lower ends of said tanks wherebythe same static liquid level is maintained in the two tanks, a mainliquid supply pipe having a pipe leading to said liquid supply tank, anaspirator connected to said main liquid supply pipe, a gas and liquidmixing pipe closed at its top and connected to said aspirator, said gasand liquid mixing pipe extending into the vacuum tank and havingapertures located above the static liquid level therein, whereby, whenthe aspirator produces a partial vacuum in the vacuum tank, the liquidlevel therein rises and liquid discharges through apertures into themixing pipe and simultaneously gas enters the'mixing pipe through theapertures disposed above the liquid level and is mixed with the lquid inthe mixing pipe, and a gas andliquid mixture discharge pipe leading fromsaid aspirator.

3. The combination of a vacuum tank, a gas storage tank, a gasconnection between said gas storage tank and the top of the vacuum tank,a regulating valve in said gas connection, a liquid supply tank in whicha substantially constant liquid level is maintained, a pipe connectionbetween the lower ends of said tanks and having a water trap therein, amain liquid supply pipe having a pipe leading to said liquid supplytank,

an aspirator connected to said main liquid supply pipe, a gas and liquidmixing pipe closed at its top and connected to said aspirator, said gasand liquid mixing pipe having a trap therein and having aperturesopening to the vacuum tank above the static water level therein,whereby, when the aspirator produces a partial vacuum in the vacuumtank, the liquid level therein rises and liquid discharges throughapertures into the mixing pipe, and simultaneously gas enters the mixingpipe through apertures located above the liquid level and mixes with theliquid in the mixing pipe, and a gas and liquid mixture discharge pipeleading from the aspirator.

4. The combination of a vacuum tank, a gas storage tank in which gas iscontained under pressure, a gas connection between the gas storage tankand the top of the vacuum tank, a regulating valve and a metering devicein said gas connection, a liquid supply tank in which a substantiallyconstant liquid level is maintained, a pipe connection between the lowerends of said tanks and having a trap therein, a main liquid supply pipehaving a pipe leading to said liquid supply tank, an aspirator connectedto said main liquid supply pipe, a gas and liquid mixing pipe extendingup into said vacuum tank, said gas and liquid mixing pipe being closedat its top and having a series of apertures therein located above thestatic liquid level in said vacuum tank, said gas and liquid mixing pipehaving a trap therein and being connected to the aspirator, whereby whenthe aspirator produces a partial vacuum in the vacuum tank, the liquidlevel therein rises and liquid discharges through apertures into themixing pipe, and simultaneously gas enters the mixing pipe throughapertures located above the liquid level and is mixed with liquid in themixing pipe, and a gas and liquid mixture discharge pipe leading fromthe aspirator.

5. The combination of a main Water supply pipe, a water supply tank, awater pipe leading from the said water supply pipe to the upper end ofthe water supply tank, an overflow pipe leading from said water supplytank, whereby a substantially constant static water level is maintainedin said water supply tank, a vacuum tank having a vacuum chamber, awater connection between the lower endsof said tanks, an aspiratorconnected to said main water supply pipe, a gas and water mixing pipeclosed at its top and leading from the vacuum chamber to the aspirator,said gas and water mixing pipe having apertures therein above the staticwater level in the vacuum tank, a source of gas under pressure, 'a gasconnection between said source of gas pressure and the vacuum chamber, aregulating valve and a metering device in said gas connection, adischarge pipe leading from said aspirator for conveying away the mixedgas and water, a shut off valve interposed in said water pipe, and ashut off valve interposed in said discharge pipe, whereby when saidvalves are closed, water flows backwards through the apparatus andwashes it.

6. The combination of a vacuum tank, a source of gas supply underpressure, a gas connection between said source of gas supply andthe topof the vacuum tank, a liquid supply tank in which a substantiallyconstant liquid level is maintained, said liquid supply tank being opento the outer atmosphere, a connection between the lower ends of saidtanks whereby the same static liquid level is maintained in the twotanks, a main liquid supply pipe having a pipe leading to said liquidsupply tank, a suction device connected to said main liquid supply pipe,and a gas and liquid mixing pipe closed at its top and connected to saidsuction device, said gas and liquid mixing pipe having apertures openingto the vacuum tank above the static liquid level therein, whereby, whenthe suction device produces a partial vacuum in the vacuum tank, theliquid level therein rises and liquid discharges through apertures intothe mixing pipe and simultaneously gas enters the mixing pipe throughapertures above the liquid level and is mixed with the liquid in themixing pipe, and a gas and liquid mixture discharge pipe leading fromsaid suction device.

7. The combination of a vacuum tank, a source of gas supply underpressure, a gas connection between said source of gas supply and the topof said liquid supply tank being open to the outer tank, a suctiondevice connected to said main liquid supply pipe, and a gas and liquidmixing pipe closed at its top and connected to said suction device, saidgas and liquidmixing pipe having apertures opening to the vacuum tankabove the static liquid level therein, whereby, when the suction deviceproduces a partial vacuum in the vacuum tank, the liquid level thereinrises and liquid discharges through apertures into the mixing pipe andsimultaneously gas enters the mixing pipe through apertures above theliquid level and is mixed with the liquid in the mixing pipe, and a gasand liquid mixture discharge pipe leading from said suction device.

ORBIN P. HAGIST.

